Luminescent signaling device



Oct. 27, 1953 K. L. FROST LUMINESCENT SIGNALING DEVICE Filed June 16, 1950 INVENTOR. KENNETH L. FROST BY a Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LUMINESCENT SIGNALING DEVICE Kenneth L. Frost, Oakland, Calif.

Application June 16, 1950, Serial No. 168,589

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to wearing apparel and more particularly to bands or sleeves of the type which may be worn on the extremities of the body, such as the arms or legs, as safety or signalling devices.

Under conditions of decreased or obstructed visibility it is frequently desirable for an individual to be able to protect himself against the danger of being struck by automobiles or other conveyances whether he is walking, standing, or driving. While numerous protective devices, for example, artificial lights such as flashlights, lanterns and the like, have been used for this purpose, these devices frequently handicap the user in the performance of his normal functions, such as driving. Likewise such devices are often bulky and therefore are not utilized to their full value due to their weight and size as well as the fact that a conscious effort is required on the part of the user to obtain the full value therefrom. Heretofore, various types of reflective and luminescent articles of clothing have been proposed to protect a pedestrian or driver from being struck by vehicles, such as gloves, coats and the like, but

these articles of apparel in general have been cumbersome and in warm weather subject the wearer to the discomforts which accompany the wearing of unnecessary clothing. For the above mentioned reasons, there has long been a need for a practical device capable of service as a warning or signalling apparatus which may be worn without encumbering the wearers normal functions or requiring the donning of cumbersome and additional articles of clothing.

Broadly, the present invention is directed to a band or cuff which may be worn either directly on an extremity of the wearer or over an outer garment comprising a flexible element of trapezoidal or developed conical shape having a luminescent or reflective coating applied to said element to reflect or generate visible light from the surface thereof, and resilient means associated with said element for maintaining said element in a generally hollow, conical or spiral form to cause said element to adhere to the general form of the extremity upon which it is to be worn. Alternately, said device may be provided with means adapted to maintain the rigidity of said element in a longitudinal direction and a backing means secured around the edges of said element to reinforce said element and provide a smooth inner surface adjacent the wearers extremity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective arm or leg band which will closely adhere to the wearers arm or leg, but light in weight and flexible so that other operations may be performed by the wearer without interference from the band.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a safety band or sleeve for use under adverse lighting conditions which may be easily put on or taken off by the wearer, but which affords a maximum amount of protection by reflecting low intensity light.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reflecting arm band for signalling or safety purposes which is cheap to construct, as well as durable and efficient in use.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a developed plan view of a sleeve or band constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with the inner or liner element broken away in part.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve or band in accordance with the present invention in its normally rolled condition as it may be positioned on the arm of a wearer.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 partially opened from its rolled condition with the lining element turned back to show the corner construction of the sleeve.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in the direction of arrows 4-4 in Figure l as viewed in cross-section along the dotted line between arrows 44.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention similar to the view in Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawing and in particular to Figure l, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in which reference numeral l6 designates a light reflecting or luminescent fabric covering for the sleeve or band. As illustrated, fabric element Iii is formed generally in the shape of a developed, truncated cone. This shape is defined by the upper or outer edge ll being cut or formed along a shorter radius than the lower or inner edge l2. The left and right hand sides 13 and M, respectively, are preferably cut in the radial direction of circles of which edges H and I2 are arcs.

For the purpose of providing smooth edges after the fabric element It has been cut, hem portions I5 and I6 may be formed as shown, respectively for upper and lower edges II and I2. To make a smooth hem when portions [5 and 16 are turned under, the outer edges may be notched 0r indented at intervals by notches H.

In order to cause the band or sleeve to assume a normally rolled or conical shape so that the 3 band will adhere to the arm, as illustrated in Figure 2, resilient means, such as a pair of fiat spring members l8 and I9 may be disposed generally transversing the'covering l and attached thereto "by sewing, stitching or the like. Spring members l8 and [9 preferably are pre-set to assume a helically coiled condition so that ma? terial I0 is externally disposed when attached to the spring members. For 'the purpose of maintaining spring members It and 1-9 in spaced relationship with each other and in respect to cover In, a plurality of longitudinally extending brace members 20, 2 I, 22, 23 and 24 may be positioned as shown in Figure 1 so that the members lie along the radii of the circles of which ledges l|. and.l2 are arcs. In thisway, cover It is made stiif in the longitudinal, direction in this embodiment. BracesZIl, 2|, 22, 23 and 24 are prefer-' ably maintained in the desired radial positions byv bracket means 25. Preferably bracket means 25 is provided for each intersection of braces 20 to 24 with primary means. I8 and I9. Each of brackets 25 is constructed in accordance with Figure 4, having a base 26 adapted to lie upon spring member id or 19 and fastened by, spot welding, or the like to the spring member. Brackets 25 are likewise provided with laterally extending sides 21. and 28 for rigidity of construction and a bore 29 in the center of the bracket through which a brace member may pass. Preferably, the brace passing throughborev 29 is secured therein to hold flat spring members l8 and IS in fixed relationship ..to.br.aces.2il, 2|, 22,,23 and 24,. Obviously, bore .29'through'bracket 25will be made to, accommodate the angularity at which braces 20 to 24 pass through the brackets. In this way a rugged structural framework .for fabric covering HJ may be provided which is capable of. sustaining the desired frustoconical shape of the cuff, or sleeve.

For the purpose of providing a smooth inner surface. against either the outer garment or ,arm of the wearer, I have provided a lining member 33 formed generally in a shape similar to cover 10, but having the upper edge 3| formed on a longer radius than upper edge H and thelower edge 32 formed along a radius shorter than edge I2 of cover l0. In this way the outer luminescent or reflecting material may be turned under .as shown at the upper right hand side of Figure 1. However, prior to the securing of cover t0 lining 30 by stitching, tacking or the like, each of the corners of cover It are cut as shown to remove a generally rectangular portion 33 therefrom so that bunching or gathering of the material is eliminated at the corners of the finished band.

',In the assembly of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the flat spring members [8 and I9 and the radially extending braces 23, 2!, 22, 23 and 2.4 are preferably positioned as shown with the brackets 25'arranged for welding to secure each of. the braces to the spring members. Brackets 25 maybe positioned over springs I8 and I9 and attached thereto prior tothe passage of braces 20.,to 24. through bore 29 in brackets 25, if desired. Likewise, if desired, the brackets 25 may be attached to spring members I8 and [9 prior to the springs being set to assume a normally coiled position. Also, it is within the scope of the present invention to attach the members I8 and [9 to their respective braces by soldering the same together at their points of intersection.

Following the assembly of the springs and braces in accordance with Figure 1, spring members l8 and I9 are rolled out to their longest dimension and placed against the uncoated or untreated side of cover l0 and connected thereto by stitching-or tacking. Lining 30 may then be positioned'over the resilient means. Since lining 30 is preferably not larger than the greatest dimensions of the resilient means, edges 13 and l4..of.cover Iflare turned inwardly over braces 2U'and24' respectively and stitched, sewed or glued over the lateral edges of the lining 30, as shown at the right hand side in Figure 1. Thenyupper and lower edges [5 and I6, respectively, are turned to cover the upper and lower edges 3| and 32 of lining 30. By virtue of dashes or notches I! as described above, the excess ma terial which would cause gathers '0I".'f01dS of material as the transverse edges or the finished sleeve or cuff are eliminated anda smooth hem results therefrom as illustrated at the upper right hand corner in Figure 1."'While any order of overlappingedges l5, and I5 over edges 3| and 32, respectively, may be used, preferably the upper or outer edge of the-bandis secured first as shown in Figure 3, and then the inner, or lower hem secured to lining 30 along edge 32.

Referring now to the alternative arrangement or embodiment of my invention shown in Figure 5, reflective or luminescent covering lnis pref.-. erably formed in the same manner as shown in Figure 1 and described hereinabove. However, as distinguished from the foregoing embodiment, the resilient means forretaining the shape of the cuff or band,.as Well .asforming fsaid band into a normally spiral or helicallshape so that the band will adhere to the armor leg of the wearer, I have provided a thermoplastic sheet or liningv element 33 selected for both its form sustaining and resilient properties. Element 33 is preferably a flat, thin sheet of material which may either be preset to form the desired conical shape or so set after assembly into the cuff. The principal advantage of this arrangement lies in the simplicity of construction and ease of assembly. In this regard, lining element 33 may be formed in much the same manner as lining 30 in theembodiment disclosed in Figure 1. By forming, shaping or lining element 33 with'a generall developed frusto-conical shape slightly smaller in overall measurement than cover member H), the outer edges l3, l4 and I5 and 16 may be placed in overlapping arrangement as described in the previous embodiment. While the luminescent or reflective member I I] may be stitched to thermoplastic liner 33, theouter member is preferably glued thereto with plastic cement, or the like, causing cover member ID to closely adhere to liner 33 throughout the mating area. By this arrangement, a sturdy, easily constructed cuff may be provided.

While cover ID has been described in both of the embodiments of my invention as being reflective or luminescent, so that low level light or even light outside of the visible spectra striking the cover will give off an intense, light or slow, in addition other luminescent or reflective ma terials may be used which are either incorporated in covering II) or applied on the outer surface thereof prior to the cutting and assembly of a protective cuff or band in accordance with the invention. However, my invention also comprehends the application of such luminescent or refleeting material after the entire cuff or sleeve is assembled by dipping, spraying, or painting such material on the outer surface of cover member I0. Additionally, a plurality of individually reflective elements may also be incorporated with the cuff or band disclosed herein and either decorative designs or signals included on the surface such as direction arrows or signs.

It will be apparent from the foregoing detailed descriptions of the two alternative arrangements of the present invention that a new and improved signal or warning cuif or band has been pro vided which will closely adhere to a wearers arm or leg, is light in weight, but sufficiently flexible that the wearer may work or move Without being handicapped thereby.

Furthermore, by virtue of the present invention, I have provided a safety sleeve or arm band for use under adverse lighting conditions which may be easily put on or taken off by the wearer, but which is capable of reflecting or luminescing under low intensity light or light outside of the visible spectrum.

From the above description it will be appreciated that by the present invention I have provided a reflecting arm band for signalling for safety purposes which is simply constructed as well as durable and efficient in operation, but inexpensive in cost.

I claim:

1. A form sustaining, resilient light reflecting safety device of the arm band type, comprising a resilient base member of settable plastic material of substantially frusto-conical shape, said base member being a sheet of material developed as the frustum of a cone and being helically coiled, said sheet having an outer cover of flexible light reflecting material over substantially its entire surface, said cover being of similar shape but slightly larger in all dimensions, and

turned over the edges of the base sheet, said device, when set in frusto-conical shape, being springy and adapted to be applied over and. to encircle the arm of a wearer to be used as a signalling device.

2. A form sustaining, resilient light reflecting safety device of the arm band type, comprising a resilient base member of settable plastic material of substantially frusto-conical shape, said base member being a sheet of material developed as the frustum of a cone and being helically coiled, said sheet having an outer cover of flexible light reflecting material over substantially its entire surface, said cover being of similar shape but slightly larger in all dimensions, and turned over the edges of the base sheet, said device, when set in frusto-conical shape, being springy and adapted to be applied over and to encircle the arm of a wearer to be used as a sisnalling device, and a smooth flexible liner covering substantially the entire innner surface of said base member.

KENNETH L. FROST.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 741,133 Haynes Oct. 13, 1903 1,244,065 Muller Oct. 23, 1917 2,078,103 Simmons Apr. 20, 1937 2,123,478 Smith July 12, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,895 Austria Feb. 25, 1903 

